Syrian Kurds set to hold unified conference to discuss future, rights

Syrian Kurds are set to hold a unified conference on 26 April, which will include parties linked the Autonomous Administration in northeastern Syria as well as the rival Kurdish National Council (KCK), in an effort to outline their key demands from the Syrian government and discuss their future and rights.

The announcement of the meeting, made by the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi, came after many obstacles and pressure from the US to encourage negotiations.

"We extend our sincere thanks to the Kurdish people in Syria, who made effort and listened to all Kurdish forces and parties, concerned with the necessity of Kurdish unity in Syria, at this important stage in the history of our country," Faisal Youssef, the official spokesman of the Kurdish National Council told The New Arab’s sister site, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

"We are proud that we have fulfilled this demand, and we extend special thanks to His Excellency President Massoud Barzani, who had a prominent role in accomplishing what we are about to agree on in the conference, as well as the efforts of General Mazloum Abdi in this regard," he continued.

The conference, dubbed the Conference for Kurdish Unity and Common Vision, will be attended by various civil society organisations, women’s groups, youth organisations, and independent social figures from different Kurdish regions.

It is also expected to result in a unified draft that brings together the positions and priorities of all major political parties in Syria and serves as a foundational document for future negotiations.

The efforts for a renewed Kurdish dialogue first emerged last month, after the Democratic Union Party (PYD), which dominates Kurdish-held areas of Syria, announced plans for a joint conference with the KCK, following a meeting where Abdi was present.

Nemat Daoud, a member of the presidency of the KCK in Syria told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that during the meeting, a common political vision was agreed upon.

‘Milestone’ meeting

The meeting is seen as a major milestone, as Kurdish parties will be brought together to agree on a vision for their future and identity as well as their rights in Syria, Youssef explained.

In a press comment, the presidency of the Kurdish National Council said: "We announce today the conference of unity has officially been agreed, this is an important step and reflects the aspirations of Syrian Kurds."

The latest developments come after the KCK and PYD, held a joint meeting in March in al-Hasakah, which was attended by Abdi and the US special envoy for northern and eastern Syria, Scott Bowles.

The meeting was a follow-up to previous ones held in Qamishli and Iraqi Kurdistan over the years, with the aim of forming a joint Kurdish delegation that would go to Damascus and discuss controversial issues which have reached a standstill.

However, the KCK has long accused the PYD of targeting its members and excluding it from the Autonomous Administration, resulting in a deadlock in talks.